Big Sky predictions 9-2
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2023 6:26 pm
With some games being played on Thursday, I felt the rush to get the week 1 predictions out early for the conference. Some tough games to pikc right off the bat with four teams playing down South on Thursday. All teams will be in action either on Thursday or Saturday and most are playing another FCS opponent. As usual, Big Sky conference teams are represented by their scoreboard abbreviation, and non-Big Sky teams are spelled out (for example, PSU is Portland State, and if anyone was playing Penn State, they would be spelled out). Here are my predictions for the first week.
Thursday's games
UI at Lamar (FCS Southland)---Will the Vandals pick up where they left off last year and take off running? Good things are expected out of them this year. However, they start off by venturing into Southland country and a good opponent. A road win would be a great start...UI 31, Lamar 21.
UNC at Abilene Christian (FCS United)---New faces, new places for the Bears from last year to this year and a trip to the great state of Texas awaits them to begin the year. How soon will the new faces gel with each other? Time will tell, but probably not the first game...Abilene Christian 35, UNC 17.
SAC at Nicholls (FCS Southland)---Another Thursday trip for a Big Sky school in the Southland. Even with a new coach, feelings are high for the Hornets as they set out to defend their conference title. Can they start off by getting a good, tough road win?...SAC 34, Nicholls 28.
UCD at Texas A&M-Commerce (FCS Southland)---And yet another contest down in the Southland. High expectations this year for the Aggies as they start the year on the road in the heart of Texas. They will need this win, however, to keep those good thoughts going...UCD 27, Texas A&M-Commerce 21.
Central Washington (DII) at WSU---New coach but still the same grind it out philosophy for the Wildcats, and a good formula to start with, bringing in a lesser opponent to open with. A tough game next week awaits, but they need this one first...WSU 35, Central Washington 7.
Saturday's games
San Diego (FCS Pioneer) at CP---A new era begins for the Mustangs with a new coach and new faces. But, they start this year at home against a non-scholly team from the Pioneer. Maybe a few good bounces here and there, but maybe few and far between...San Diego 21, CP 14.
EWU vs North Dakota State (FCS Missouri Valley)---The Eagles are trying to claw their way back to the top of the conference and what better way to make some noise than playing one of the top teams in FCS. It is a neutral site game, but it is still one of the top teams...North Dakota State 35, EWU 15.
ISU at San Diego State (FBS Mtn West)---The new look Bengals bring their team down to southern California for a tough clash against a good FBS program. The only thing good about this for the Bengals is the payday they will receive. Everything else hurts...San Diego State 48, ISU 7.
Butler (FCS) Pioneer at UM---The Grizzlies may have some questions at some key positions so what better way to hopefully play a bunch of players and bring in a non-scholly Pioneer league team to their mighty home. A bunch of players should play, for sure...UM 42, Butler 14.
Utah Tech (FCS United) at MSU---The Bobcats continue to roll on and this season should be roughly the same as the last few seasons. Starting in their own home is a plus. Playing a quality opponent should also work in their favor as well. A good win on the horizon...MSU 31, Utah Tech 17.
NAU at Arizona (FBS Pac-12)---The Lumberjacks may have enough here to throw a scare into their in state brethren from the south. However, trying out a new quarterback, and a few other postions are new as well, it may be a case of close but no cigar...Arizona 28, NAU 21.
PSU at Oregon (FBS Pac-12)---The Vikings will be the latest conference team to play in Eugene, a place that the conference as a whole has not done well recently. The Vikings are going up against a strong FBS team with a lot to prove and they won't let up here...Oregon 54, PSU 14.
Thursday's games
UI at Lamar (FCS Southland)---Will the Vandals pick up where they left off last year and take off running? Good things are expected out of them this year. However, they start off by venturing into Southland country and a good opponent. A road win would be a great start...UI 31, Lamar 21.
UNC at Abilene Christian (FCS United)---New faces, new places for the Bears from last year to this year and a trip to the great state of Texas awaits them to begin the year. How soon will the new faces gel with each other? Time will tell, but probably not the first game...Abilene Christian 35, UNC 17.
SAC at Nicholls (FCS Southland)---Another Thursday trip for a Big Sky school in the Southland. Even with a new coach, feelings are high for the Hornets as they set out to defend their conference title. Can they start off by getting a good, tough road win?...SAC 34, Nicholls 28.
UCD at Texas A&M-Commerce (FCS Southland)---And yet another contest down in the Southland. High expectations this year for the Aggies as they start the year on the road in the heart of Texas. They will need this win, however, to keep those good thoughts going...UCD 27, Texas A&M-Commerce 21.
Central Washington (DII) at WSU---New coach but still the same grind it out philosophy for the Wildcats, and a good formula to start with, bringing in a lesser opponent to open with. A tough game next week awaits, but they need this one first...WSU 35, Central Washington 7.
Saturday's games
San Diego (FCS Pioneer) at CP---A new era begins for the Mustangs with a new coach and new faces. But, they start this year at home against a non-scholly team from the Pioneer. Maybe a few good bounces here and there, but maybe few and far between...San Diego 21, CP 14.
EWU vs North Dakota State (FCS Missouri Valley)---The Eagles are trying to claw their way back to the top of the conference and what better way to make some noise than playing one of the top teams in FCS. It is a neutral site game, but it is still one of the top teams...North Dakota State 35, EWU 15.
ISU at San Diego State (FBS Mtn West)---The new look Bengals bring their team down to southern California for a tough clash against a good FBS program. The only thing good about this for the Bengals is the payday they will receive. Everything else hurts...San Diego State 48, ISU 7.
Butler (FCS) Pioneer at UM---The Grizzlies may have some questions at some key positions so what better way to hopefully play a bunch of players and bring in a non-scholly Pioneer league team to their mighty home. A bunch of players should play, for sure...UM 42, Butler 14.
Utah Tech (FCS United) at MSU---The Bobcats continue to roll on and this season should be roughly the same as the last few seasons. Starting in their own home is a plus. Playing a quality opponent should also work in their favor as well. A good win on the horizon...MSU 31, Utah Tech 17.
NAU at Arizona (FBS Pac-12)---The Lumberjacks may have enough here to throw a scare into their in state brethren from the south. However, trying out a new quarterback, and a few other postions are new as well, it may be a case of close but no cigar...Arizona 28, NAU 21.
PSU at Oregon (FBS Pac-12)---The Vikings will be the latest conference team to play in Eugene, a place that the conference as a whole has not done well recently. The Vikings are going up against a strong FBS team with a lot to prove and they won't let up here...Oregon 54, PSU 14.
